Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-7-2016

Publication Title

Journal of Sleep Disorders: Treatment and Care

Department

Geisel School of Medicine

Abstract

Purpose: To examine primary care professionals (PCP) attitudes and prescribing preferences toward hypnotic medications to treat chronic insomnia. Methods: An online survey was sent to members of the Dartmouth CO-OP, a practice-based primary care research network in Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire. The survey begins with a case vignette of a 64-year old woman suffering from chronic insomnia. Clinicians were then presented with eight questions about management of the patient and their attitudes toward prescribing medications, focusing on benzodiazepines/benzodiazepine receptor agonists (BDZ/BZRAs). Results: 103 of 198 clinicians (52%) responded. Regarding choice of medication for the case vignette, 80% of respondents preferred the off-label use of hypnotics such as trazodone or melatonin; 11% stated they would choose BDZs and 21% would choose BZRAs. Strong majorities expressed that negative consequences would occur with use of BDZ/BZRAs, including tolerance (77%), dependence (68%), other side effects (53%), and addiction (51%). PCP preference for off- label prescribing was correlated to levels of concern about harms (addiction, dependence, tolerance, side effects) of BDZ/BZRAs as measured on a global medication risk score in this survey. In addition, 14% of respondents felt that pharmacotherapy was not an appropriate therapeutic option for chronic insomnia in the case vignette. Conclusion: Most of the clinicians surveyed acknowledged a legitimate role for hypnotic medications in chronic insomnia but expressed reservations toward BDZ/BZRAs despite their FDA approval and proven efficacy. There appears to be a gap between published guidelines for selection of sedative-hypnotic medications and PCP preferences.

DOI

10.4172/2325-9639.1000169

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